Effect of row spacing and cutting management in guinea grass (Panicum maximum) for fodder-cum-seed purpose

An experiment was conducted during the rainy season of 1999 and 2000 at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Konehally, Tiptur, to study the influence of 3 row spacings (30, 45 and 60 cm) and 4 cutting managements on guinea grass (Panicum maximum Jacq.) under irrigation. Among the growth parameters, the number of tillers/m row alone was significantly higher at wider spacings. The tillering was significantly profuse when the crop was cut for fodder-cum-seed purpose at later cuts than at first cut. The green fodder yield was significantly influenced by cutting management. However, the seed yield was not influenced significantly by row spacings and cutting management. The closer row spacing of 30 or 45 cm and managing the crop with fourth cut for fodder-cum-seed purpose giving a green fodder yield of 55–58.5 tonnes/ha and a seed yield of 105–115 kg/ha appeared optimum for ‘PGG 518’ guinea grass under irrigation.